<p>I completely agree with post 59. Such hypotheticals would not make the cyber-stalking better or worse. The issue is not whether either one of them or both of them are gay, or one of them is closeted and one is not. In addition to the violations that have been named, the violation of status/role of the person doing the stalking screams out to me. While it’s not excusable when same-age students do this to each other, i.m.o. it reaches a whole different level of reprehensibility when an adult in a position of power does something like this.</p>
<p>I don’t think believeing that Shirvell is gay excuses him in any way. The dude is a demented stalker. But still, it’s pretty funny imagining him, twelve years from now, inviting all his friends to his wedding to another man.</p>
<p>[University</a> of Michigan student body president seeks restraining order against assistant state attorney general - AnnArbor.com](<a href=“http://www.annarbor.com/news/university-of-michigan-student-body-president-seeks-restraining-order-against-assistant-state-attorn/]University”>University of Michigan student body president seeks restraining order against assistant state attorney general)</p>
<p>^cut and pasted from the above link: </p>
<p>University of Michigan student body President Christopher Armstrong is seeking a restraining order against an assistant state attorney general who has been publicly accusing Armstrong of pushing a radical homosexual agenda and showing up at places where Armstrong is, court records show.</p>
<p>Armstrong will go to court next week for a hearing on the personal protection order that would prohibit Andrew Shirvell from contacting him or coming near him.</p>
<p>Judge Nancy Francis denied Armstrongs request to immediately issue the order, instead setting a hearing for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 4. Armstrong is asking that Shirvell be banned from appearing within Armstrongs sight, from having e-mail or Facebook contact with Armstrong and to be prohibited from approaching current or former university students or MSA reps.</p>
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<p>I don’t know anything about the process of obtaining a personal protection order. Based on the evidence (Shirvell’s blog and the words spewing directly out of his mouth on the Anderson Cooper show), why in the world would this Judge deny the request to immediately issue the order?</p>
<p>That does seem odd. I wonder if that’s standard operating procedure in MI, or not?</p>
<p>Maybe the judge needs to review the materials?</p>
<p>I thought - though I might be mistaken, as it was a cursory skim of an article - that the AG (Cox) publicly suggested that if a restraining order were to be made against Shirvell, then he (in the capacity of Shirvell’s employer) would send him to employee assistance, etc. I wonder if that was sort of an oblique “let me tell you the steps to do.”</p>
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<p>I don’t know Michigan law, but this seems nuts to me. As someone said several posts ago, if Armstrong was a woman, his concerns would be taken more seriously and, I bet, a woman would have her restraining order right now.</p>
<p>I have watched both interviews on CNN and I am quite puzzled as to why Cox is defending Shirvell . It sounds like Cox is more afraid of a lawsuit than standing up for what is right. I think the assistant AG is a danger to Chris Armstrong. I am also puzzled as to why the judge needs a week to schedule a hearing - and why does a hearing have to be held when there is so much public evidence to grant a restraining order. However, firing Shirvell isn’t going to accomplish anything. He will continue his tirade whether he has a job or not. I have a bad feeling about this - that something is going to happen to Armstrong between now and Oct. 4th.</p>
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<p>I agree. </p>
<p>I am still distressed that the college seems to be doing nothing. Is it too much to hope a university officer would stand up and say that they will not tolerate this kind of public harassment of a student?</p>
<p>If you go on the Michigan website there is a letter from the school supporting Chris Armstrong. My son, who is a Michigan student, sent me the Anderson Cooper interview with Shirvell. He is very concerned about this whole situation.</p>
<p>Michone, Thank you for sharing that, I’m so glad the school is doing that.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, don’t get me wrong–whether he’s a closeted gay guy or not, this guy is a frothing lunatic and the student needs to be protected from him. I mean, what the heck is this? He’s a stalker. He’s a homophobe. He’s irrational. I’d be scared to death if someone started targeting me like that. </p>
<p>I agree that if this were girl something would have been done already. What could the judge have been thinking of that she didn’t grant the request right away?? My God, how more blatant could it be! It’s on his FREAKING BLOG.</p>
<p>I just went back on the website. The Michigan Daily michigandaily.com has an article about this - you can access it on the bottom right hand side of the page. If you go to the comments, the address and phone numbers of both Shirvell and Cox are listed. Nobody is on their side. The comments are all on Chris Armstrong’s side.</p>
<p>As distasteful as Shirvell is, I don’t like the idea of listing his address / phone # (and I recognize that wasn’t done by the university, but by someone in comments). The way to resolve this is through the appropriate legal channels (whether that’s restraining order, lawsuit for harassment or stalking - don’t know, not a lawyer) and / or putting pressure on Cox to fire him, not by calling Shirvell’s house and harassing him. Two wrongs and all. </p>
<p>Kudos to the Michigan administration for standing by Armstrong. I am sure that their lawyers are working overtime figuring out how best to respond.</p>
<p>My daughter tells me that his will be discussed on the Jon Stewart Daily show tonight. I think he may be interviewing people involved. I have been following this story for a couple of weeks now, since my daughter told me that this man stood up at an MSA meeting and denounced Chris, and about the blog etc. I was appalled that a grown man with no current affiliation to the University had the right to speak at an MSA meeting, but he does. I really hope this doesn’t escalate to something worse. This man does seem off balance.</p>
<p>If something bad were to happen, the Judge who delayed/refused the restraining order would have zero legal liability. </p>
<p>Not to defend an insane nutcase but alumni have a connection with their alma mater. This is a good thing in most cases. The current circumstance is straining the bounds of the relationship.</p>
<p>I’m glad the university is taking seriously. About ten years ago when my cousin was being stalked, her university was very, very slow to act. Thank goodness the police were more pro-active. </p>
<p>My expectation is that a university will stand by the student being harrassed and/or stalked but that is not always the case.</p>
<p>I cannot stop thinking about Armstrong’s parents. I would be out of my mind with worry; wanting my son to come home but also realizing that it is his decision alone and I have no doubt that my own son would choose to stay and fight.</p>
<p>From what I hear, Chris is going about his life and not being overly bogged down by this guy. From all accounts he is a great kid, and I hope his parents are duly proud of him. He clearly has the kind of courage that makes good leaders.</p>
<p>I’d like to know more about the SGA prez’s parents and how they raised a son who can so continue to be true to himself and take care of his responsibilities despite being targeted so vilely.</p>
<p>Would that we all could raise our kids to display such grace under fire.</p>
<p>[Assistant</a> AG with antigay blog appeals order to keep off U-M campus | freep.com | Detroit Free Press](<a href=“http://www.freep.com/article/20100930/NEWS06/100930080/1008/Assistant-AG-with-antigay-blog-appeals-order-to-keep-off-campus]Assistant”>http://www.freep.com/article/20100930/NEWS06/100930080/1008/Assistant-AG-with-antigay-blog-appeals-order-to-keep-off-campus)</p>